7/21-22/12 Gloucester Renaissance Festival  

  The Gloucester Renaissance Festival was a mixed success this year.
The unfortunate part was the rain, especially on Saturday.  It got
bad enough at times that I nicknamed the gig the "Gloucester 
RAINfest".  We had to close down early.

  The good parts were that the crowd was happy, friendly and as 
always, a lot of fun.  One of the fun bits of these small faires
is the inevitable surprise appearance of friends.  Gloucester, being
located where it is, is closer to some friends' homes than other 
places I get to play, and is also within striking distance of DC if
one gets an early start.  This year proved no different on that count.
Some of my colleagues/fellow performers from VARF were in attendance
and they got to actually stay and hear a performance or two.  

  As always, many thanks go to Chris & Mia for providing me with a 
great venue, a playground that is my job to enjoy!  Thanks also go to
my awesome assistant, Irina.  This year's faire was a lot harder to 
deal with than last, given the rain, but we made it work nonetheless,
and it was better for you being there.  Alas, this year also featured
a farewell:  Els is a fine dancer and purveyor of fancy dress.  She 
was also, in our time as compatriots with MFC, very kind to me.  
Thank you for the lunches, and the smiles!  I'll miss you!
One more shout out needs to go to my friend and (unwitting) mentor, 
Brad.  At MFC festivals now, one of my new jobs is that of playing 
host and MC for our end of day pubsing.  Everything I know about 
doing this, I've learned from watching you, sir.